PhD in Physics of Genome Processing

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences

Level: Master degree
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 4 years
Salary: €2062 to €2638

Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The vibrant Department of Bionanoscience focuses on research at the interface between nanoscience, synthetic biology, and cell biology. It studies single cells in all their complexity down to the molecular level, from both fundamental scientific and application points of view. The department operates as part of the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at the Faculty of Applied Sciences and occupies a leading international position.


The Nynke Dekker lab encompasses approximately twenty scientists working on different aspects of genome processing and molecular motion. You will be part of this group and will interact heavily with current members.

Job description

The aim of the project is to elucidate the physical basis of how molecular crowding impacts the functioning of the protein complexes involved in genome processing. For a fundamental understanding of the effects of crowding on biological processes, we need to fill the gap between highly idealised, in vitro, biophysical experiments on the one hand and the biological processes as they take place in a physiologically relevant environment on the other. To do this, we will use a number of single-molecule techniques such as magnetic tweezers and live cell imaging.

Requirements

We are looking to hire outstanding experimentalists for this exciting project. As a PhD student on this project, you will be responsible for planning and carrying out the experiments. As this is a biophysics project, you will be involved in both the physics and the biology parts of the research, and an appreciation of both is required. A background in biochemistry, biology, biophysics, physics or a related field is a must, as is a command of spoken and written English.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.

Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. N. H. Dekker, phone: +31 (0)15-2787485, e-mail: n.h.dekker@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed resume in English, the names and contact information of three references, and a letter of application in English by 15 September 2013 to Prof. Dekker, bionanoscience.delft@gmail.com.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TNWBN13-036.